Guerrero-Style Green Mole

Name: Guerrero-Style Green Mole
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes About 4 1/2 Cups
Ingredients: 1 1 ⁄ 2 cups shelled raw green pumpkin seeds; 1 ⁄ 4 tsp. whole black peppercorns; 8 whole cloves; 4 cups chicken stock; 4 medium tomatillos, husked, washed, and coarsely chopped; 1 ⁄ 2 small white onion, peeled and chopped; 1 fresh serrano chile, stemmed and chopped; 3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled; 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves; 1 Tbsp. fresh marjoram leaves; 3 small fresh bay leaves; 2 bunches manteca (lard); Salt

Serves
makes About 4 1/2 Cups

SAVEUR

This mole traditionally accompanies Unfilled Tamales.

Ingredients

1 ¹⁄₂ cups shelled raw green pumpkin seeds
¹⁄₄ tsp. whole black peppercorns
8 whole cloves
4 cups chicken stock
4 medium tomatillos, husked, washed, and coarsely chopped
¹⁄₂ small white onion, peeled and chopped
1 fresh serrano chile, stemmed and chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
1 Tbsp. fresh marjoram leaves
3 small fresh bay leaves
2 bunches manteca (lard)
Salt

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Instructions

Step 1

Toast pumpkin seeds in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until seeds just begin to color and puff slightly. (Seeds become bitter if browned too much.) Set aside to cool.

Step 2

Grind peppercorns and cloves in a blender. Add pumpkin seeds, 2 cups of the chicken stock, tomatillos, onions, chiles, garlic, thyme, marjoram, and bay leaves and blend to a very smooth puree.

Step 3

Heat lard in a medium cazuela or deep saucepan over medium-high heat. Add mole and cook, stirring constantly (to keep mole from splattering), until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups stock, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring often, until sauce thickens and begins to look curdled, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Step 4

Transfer sauce to blender and blend until smooth and silky. Return to pan and keep warm over very low heat. (If mole separates, whisk in 1 rounded tbsp. fresh masa or masa harina. Bring mole to a simmer, whisking, then reduce heat and keep warm.) Serve with tamales nejos (see recipe), if you like.